The Edge of Seventeen: Phillip Evans

[Edgy MD]

Hey, everybody, it's March, and that means our personnel forecasts can accelerate to two-a-day. We've got about 60 dudes to get in.

First up today is me. My name's Phil, and I'm a man you don't meet every day. I'm reading my calling card right here and it says "2016 Eastern League Batting Average Champ." That's something, I tell you what. A more-or-less legit shortstop with a batting average title.

On the other hand, it was a real breakthrough year for me. I mean, I'm still only a .255 hitter over the course of my minor league career. And really, with my only passing displays of power and fleeting displays of speed, about 80% of my offensive value is tied up in my batting average. Maybe 75%, because I know what a walk looks like. But yeah, the question you might be asking me is, how sustainable is that?

Maybe you should ask it of yourself! And answer it! Right here in this thread!

[fimg=350:1fk9l5t6]https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XZsojn-XgMYYgzhueCeA9y2Xtuw=/0x159:2400x1600/1720x1147/filters:focal(1049x314:1433x698):format(webp)/cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50756381/phillip-evans-gordon-donovan.0.JPG[/fimg:1fk9l5t6] [fimg=350:1fk9l5t6]http://media.jrn.com/images/T0013297331--624372.JPG[/fimg:1fk9l5t6]
[fimg=312:1fk9l5t6]http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4526495/evans_GORDONDONOVAN.png[/fimg:1fk9l5t6] [fimg=388:1fk9l5t6]http://cdn.chatsports.com/cache/25/28/25286ad81960e052eecbc7e2fab24671-original.jpg[/fimg:1fk9l5t6]

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

If "tanning" was a factor, this guy would start 159 games and hit .293. He's like, the tannest guy in camp.

It seems like there's a lot of 2B-3B types ahead of him so a big role in 2017 is probably out of the question but I'm not ruling anything out for the future with this little fella. I predict he makes a run at the AAA batting title and if can get to double-figures in homers, we got a prospect. Gets a September callup and the Mets don't bother to give him a new uni, so he becomes the greatest No. 72 in team history (14 games, .269-1-7) and snares a line drive for the final out in the division clincher, playing 3rd base.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, every time I look for photos of him, I think they've got him mixed up with a Venezuelan guy.

[MFS62]

He has a career BA of around .255, including last year's apparent outlier .335 at Binghamton. Maybe he just "got it" at 23, but it will take a repeat (or close) to those number before I see him above AAA this year. Also - I recall reading that he didn't draw his first walk until close to mid season last year (maybe hyperbole on the part of the writer, maybe not).
One thing in his favor. Judging from his fielding pct., he plays third base pretty well.

Later

[Edgy MD]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I predict he makes a run at the AAA batting title and if can get to double-figures in homers, we got a prospect.

You want power from the little tan man? HOW YOU LIKE HIM NOW?!

[Benjamin Grimm]

That's an interesting take on the Mets uniform jersey. I'd almost like it, I think, if it had the traditional font for the uniform number.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, in concept, it's alright. In execution, it stumbles a bit. It would also be more authentic to me if the orange sleeves were an undershirt rather than an attached part of the shirt.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Edgy MD wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I predict he makes a run at the AAA batting title and if can get to double-figures in homers, we got a prospect. You want power from the little tan man? HOW YOU LIKE HIM NOW?!

He's tan-tastic

[Guest d'Kong76]

Nothing Metly in 2017.

[seawolf17]

Has a wonderful season lighting up the Vegas night with dingers.

[Lefty Specialist]

Tears it up in Vegas and gets a cuppa in September.